Science & Maths Industrial Placement Programme 2026

Sellafield; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nuclear company is offering a 12-month industrial placement in West Cumbria for Science & Maths students. The role provides hands-on experience with industry experts, a competitive salary of £25,959, and support for relocation. Employees enjoy a work/life balance with 30 days annual leave and numerous benefits including a pension scheme, support networks, and more. Join to contribute to a sustainable nuclear future and develop essential skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary

30 days annual leave

Relocation allowance

Defined contribution pension scheme

Employee support networks

Qualifications

• Science & Maths students are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work on live projects alongside industry experts.
• Receive dedicated support throughout the placement.
• Develop both technical and personal skills.

Job description

Overview

We encourage you to complete our immersive, realistic preview into the life of a placement student at Sellafield before you start your application. Completing this preview will take less than 10 minutes and will help you understand both the type of challenges you may encounter, and if you're likely to enjoy working here.

Please note: this preview requires an iPhone updated to at least iOS 14, or an updated Android device. It is also accessible on tablets or laptops. Chrome is the recommended browser, though Safari also works on iOS 14 or better.

Looking for a placement where you’ll really feel valued? At Sellafield Ltd, you’ll be part of one of the UK's most significant missions — safely managing the nation’s nuclear legacy and building a cleaner, safer future. With decades of projects ahead, this is your chance to gain experience at a company where purpose and development go hand in hand.

Programme details

Our Industrial Placement Programme is comprised of 12 months of development. You’ll work on projects that might be a first in the nuclear industry where you can really make a difference, working with industry-leading scientists. There’s no blueprint for the work we do — that’s why we need you. You’ll receive dedicated support throughout your placement, and by the end you could be rewarded with a conditional offer on our graduate programme for the year you graduate. You can start to build professional networks and pave your own path to success. You’ll gain real experience, working on live projects alongside industry experts. We don’t just look to build your technical skills, we’ll help you develop those personal and professional skills that can make you stand out from the crowd. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues who truly want to see you succeed. A placement with us means contributing to work that truly matters for the UK’s sustainable nuclear future. You can really make an impact, helping to protect our site and communities today and being a part of creating the future of our tomorrow. We’re an organisation with a clear purpose. Join 12,000 people united by one purpose — to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

Science & Maths students will join our Technical profession. To read more about Technical, head to their section on our programme areas page: https://careers.sellafieldsite.co.uk/graduates-placements/graduates/programme-areas

Location and lifestyle

Our Science & Maths programmes are based in West Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District National Park. It’s a place where your weekends can be filled with hiking, cycling, or kayaking, and your evenings end with sunsets over the fells. Away from the bustle of big cities you’ll enjoy fresh air, open space, and a lower cost of living — without missing out on communities, activities or connections. When you do fancy a city break, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow are just a few hours away. It’s the perfect balance of career opportunity and quality of life. Rural doesn’t mean isolated — you’ll still find shops, restaurants and gyms, just without the city chaos.

Benefits

• As an Industrial Placement student, you’ll join us on a 12-month fixed term contract, with a competitive salary of £25,959.
• If you’re relocating from more than 30 miles away, we’ll support you with a relocation allowance of £1,200 and provide information on the best areas to live and how to find a place. £1,200 can cover rent for up to 2–3 months in some areas of West Cumbria.
• We aim to strike a good work/life balance by offering 30 days annual leave with statutory public holidays on top. There is also the ability to purchase an additional 2.5 days leave.
• During your placement you will have opportunities to work towards objectives that, if met, could lead to an offer to return on our graduate programme after you complete your degree, subject to a suitable graduate position being available.
• We offer an attractive defined contribution pension scheme — the company will match up to 13.5% for a 7% employee contribution.
• All employees can benefit from our 18 support networks, including the Nuclear Autism Support Network, oneLGBTQ+ Network and Gender Balance Networks, among others.
• Other benefits include paid sick leave, cycle to work, family-friendly policies, welfare and employee assistance, employee savings and discounts, plus many others.